Niall Quinn is aiming to save Sunderland boss Peter Reid a fortune in the transfer market by grooming Kevin Kyle as his long-term replacement at the Stadium of Light.

The Republic of Ireland international is the Black Cats' man of the moment after his double strike salvaged a point against Charlton on Saturday.

But, although the 34-year-old insists he is on course to extend his Premiership career past the end of this season - with his problematic back so far causing him no concern - Quinn knows that he cannot go on forever.

Having come from nowhere to make his top-flight debut for the Black Cats last term, earning much praise for his performances, reserve team striker Kyle is keen to continue his development this year by gaining more Premiership experience.

And, while he is content to wait for his chance by turning out for Sunderland's second string, the 20-year-old knows that working alongside Quinn on a daily basis can only enhance his chances of making it at the top level.

"Niall is just unbelievable in the air and all I can do is watch him every Saturday and train with him every single day," said Kyle, who is behind Quinn, Kevin Phillips and Lilian Laslandes in the Stadium of Light pecking order.

"As for Kevin Phillips, you'll not see a better finisher in the Premiership in my opinion - he's class and to work with those two can only benefit me, I can only get better. My hero is Duncan Ferguson and Niall is a similar player, he has got such class. He's good upstairs, good on his feet and he reads the game so well - just watching these players you learn so much, they don't even have to talk to you."

Kyle's only first-team involvement this season has come as a late substitute in the Black Cats' 4-2 Worthington Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday earlier this month.

Having been out on loan to Rochdale, Darlington and Huddersfield last season, the Scot still can't quite believe that he can now boast Premiership experience.

Kyle's next aim is to get a starting appearance under his belt. And, after showing good form in the club's early-season reserve matches, the rookie striker may not have too long to wait.

"There have been a lot of clubs asking for me to go on loan but the gaffer says it could be a case of one of the strikers getting injured or something and there could be a chance, so it's a matter of waiting," he revealed.

"If someone has a dip in form and I'm doing well in the reserves then the chance will arise and, when it does, hopefully I will be able to take it.

"A year ago if someone had said that I would play in Premiership games before the end of the season I would just have laughed at them."

Kyle added: "At the end of last season, I got the odd 10 minutes here and 15 minutes there in the first team. Now I want a start, or maybe to come on at half-time and show what I can do."

Thomas S&oslash;rensen was last night named in the Denmark squad for the make-or-break World Cup qualifier with Iceland in Copenhagen on October 6.

The Sunderland keeper, who broke his nose during his last international appearance against Northern Ireland, is expected to return to Premiership duty for the Black Cats at Bolton on Saturday. A win for the Danes against Iceland will secure a place at next year's World Cup finals. * Season ticket holders can buy tickets for Sunderland's trip to Leicester on November 3 by postal applications only until October 13. They will be on general sale from October 22. Tickets for the Premiership match at Chelsea on December 9 will go on general sale on October 1.